The Jets could be missing one of their better defensive players on Sunday.
Surprisingly, No. 2 cornerback DJ Reed was unable to practice on Friday due to an ankle injury after being limited the previous two days; his participation is listed as questionable.
He was examined before training on Friday, which led to the change in his status.
If Reed can’t go, Brandin Echols would be his likely replacement.
The Jets could choose to have Sauce Gardner travel with Titans star receiver Calvin Ridley, which they did at times in Week 1 against the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk was limited to two catches for 28 yards.
“I mean, we’re going to do that a little bit,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said Thursday. “We have a special talent in (Gardner). He can do some things that are so unique and special. We’re going to try to take advantage of them as best we can.”
Garrett Wilson’s goal for Sunday’s offense is simple.
Progress.
What does this look like for the star receiver?
“Score points, be efficient, don’t play three games and get knocked out,” he said on Friday. “Just play good football. You know it when you see it.”
Wilson was encouraged by how the offense improved as the game against the 49ers progressed.
Despite limited opportunities, the Jets scored three touchdowns and Aaron Rodgers showed that he still has a lot of potential at age 40 after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Most impressive to Wilson were some of Rodgers’ precise throws to Allen Lazard, including a 36-yard touchdown pass on a free kick when he lured the defense offside.
“We have one of the best of all time, so we have to let him be the best of all time, that’s how I see it,” Wilson said. “He can play really well.”
Wilson was not overly pleased with his performance, six catches for 60 yards, especially with his play towards the end of the loss.
He’s still working on chemistry with Rodgers.
This will become apparent the more repetitions the two do together.
“It’s exciting. I play receiver, I’m an offensive player, I like to score points,” he said. “That’s how it’s done, with explosive plays like (the throws to Lazard). With a guy like (Rodgers), you can really do that.”
Coach Robert Saleh said the plan for the loss to the 49ers was for receiver Mike Williams to get about 15 snaps.
In the end, there were nine because the Jets offense was on the sidelines so often.
Williams, who is still recovering from ACL surgery last October, is likely to have a slightly heavier workload ahead of him on Sunday.
“If we had managed to complete a 65-game game like we usually do, we would have been well on track. So, to put it briefly, we’re trying to get him on the field more often,” Saleh said.
Cornerback Michael Carter II (ankle) and defensive lineman Micheal Clemons (triceps) practiced fully on Friday.
However, Clemons was listed as questionable.
Defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (personal reasons) has returned to training with limited participation. He will be active.
